U.S. patent number 7,913,784 [Application Number 12/056,076] was granted by the patent office on 2011-03-29 for saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Honda Motor Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Yoshiyuki Horii, Masamoto Ito, Keisuke Koitabashi, Yohei Makuta.
United States Patent |
7,913,784 |
Horii , et al. |
March 29, 2011 |
Saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle
Abstract
A saddle ride vehicle includes a fuel cell formed in a
rectangular, parallelepiped shape disposed below a vehicle seat.
The fuel cell is inclined toward a vehicle rear. A pivot shaft is
disposed in a range X defined forwardly of a vertex P of a
side-view rectangle of the fuel cell, and defined rearwardly of a
vertex Q of the side-view rectangle, and is disposed in a range Y
defined below the vertex P and defined above the vertex Q. Foot
rest parts are disposed between a steering handle and the seat. The
fuel cell is disposed on the side of the foot rest parts, so that
the center of gravity G1 of the fuel cell is located on the vehicle
body front side relative to the seating part center G2 in the
front-rear direction of the center of gravity of the driver at the
time of riding.
Inventors: |
Horii; Yoshiyuki (Saitama,
JP), Makuta; Yohei (Saitama, JP),
Koitabashi; Keisuke (Saitama, JP), Ito; Masamoto
(Saitama, JP) |
Assignee: |
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
39792322 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/056,076 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2008 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20080236914 A1 |
Oct 2, 2008 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Mar 30, 2007 [JP] |
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2007-094246 |
Mar 30, 2007 [JP] |
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2007-094248 |
Mar 30, 2007 [JP] |
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2007-094250 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
180/65.31;
180/65.1; 180/220 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62K
11/00 (20130101); B62K 11/10 (20130101); B60L
58/30 (20190201); B60L 58/33 (20190201); Y02T
90/34 (20130101); Y02T 90/40 (20130101); B62K
2204/00 (20130101); B62K 2202/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60K
6/32 (20071001) |
Field of
Search: |
;180/65.1,220,225,65.31
;280/834,835 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1735748 |
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Feb 2006 |
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CN |
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2003-291849 |
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Oct 2003 |
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JP |
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2005-112094 |
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Apr 2005 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Shriver, II; J. Allen
Assistant Examiner: Walters; John D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Birch, Stewart, Kolasch &
Birch, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle which is driven to run
by electric power supplied from a fuel cell, comprising: a pivot
shaft for swingably supporting a swing arm on a vehicle body frame;
a rear wheel mounted to said swing arm; and a seat for seating a
driver, wherein said fuel cell is formed in a substantially
rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is disposed on a lower side
of said seat in a state of being inclined toward a vehicle body
rear side from a state of having a longitudinal direction of the
fuel cell in a vertical direction, and said pivot shaft is disposed
in a range which is defined on a front side of a vertex located at
a rear end (P) of a side-view rectangle of said fuel cell, and
which is defined on the rear side of a vertex located at a lower
end (Q) of the side-view rectangle of said fuel cell, wherein the
fuel cell is supplied with a hydrogen-containing fuel gas and an
oxygen-containing reactant gas and which discharges an unreacted
gas and reaction product water, wherein said fuel cell includes a
case for containing a plurality of cells stacked, a reactant gas
suction port for supplying said reactant gas from an upper side of
said case, and an unreacted gas discharge port for discharging said
unreacted gas from a lower side of said case, and said two reactant
gas suction ports are provided so as to be substantially
perpendicular to the plane of said cells and to be located on
opposite sides of said case.
2. The saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 1,
wherein said pivot shaft is disposed in a range which is defined on
a lower side of the vertex located at the rear end (P) of the
side-view rectangle of said fuel cell, and which is defined on an
upper side of the vertex located at the lower end (Q) of the
side-view rectangle of said fuel cell.
3. The saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 1,
further comprising: a steering handle for steering a front wheel;
and foot rest parts for a driver provided between said steering
handle and said seat, wherein said fuel cell is disposed on the
vehicle body rear side of said foot rest parts so that a center of
gravity (G1) of said fuel cell is located on the vehicle body front
side relative to the center (G2) in the front-rear direction of a
seating part on which to seat the driver at the time of riding.
4. The saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 1,
further comprising: a suction-side manifold for connecting said two
reactant gas suction ports to each other on an outside of said
case, a supercharger for forcibly supplying said reactant gas, and
a reactant gas pipe for connection between said supercharger and
said suction-side manifold.
5. The saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 1,
wherein two said unreacted gas discharge ports are provided so as
to be substantially perpendicular to a plane of said cells and to
be located on opposite sides of said case, and said vehicle further
comprises a discharge-side manifold for connecting said two
unreacted gas discharge ports to each other on the outside of said
case.
6. The saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 1,
further comprising: hydrogen reserving means for reserving hydrogen
gas to be supplied to said fuel cell; and a hydrogen sensor for
detecting the hydrogen gas; wherein said saddle ride, fuel cell
powered vehicle has an exterior equipment covering a vehicle body,
and has a configuration in which outside air is introduced through
an opening provided on a vehicle body front side of said exterior
equipment into an inside of said vehicle body, is passed through
the inside of said vehicle body inclusive of said fuel cell, is
then converged to a rear part of said vehicle body and is
discharged to an exterior, said hydrogen reserving means is
disposed on a vehicle body rear side relative to said fuel cell,
and said hydrogen sensor is disposed near a rear end part of said
hydrogen reserving means.
7. The saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 6,
wherein said hydrogen reserving means is disposed with its
longitudinal direction set along a vehicle body front-rear
direction, and a second hydrogen sensor is disposed near a front
end part of said hydrogen reserving means.
8. The saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 6,
wherein a motor-driven fan for forcibly introducing the outside air
into the inside of said vehicle body is provided at said
opening.
9. A saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle ride, fuel cell powered
vehicle which is driven to run by electric power supplied from a
fuel cell, comprising: a pivot shaft for swingably supporting a
swing arm on a vehicle body frame; a rear wheel mounted to said
swing arm; and a seat for seating a driver, wherein said fuel cell
is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and
is disposed on a lower side of said seat in a state of being
inclined toward a vehicle body rear side from a state of having a
longitudinal direction of the fuel cell in a vertical direction,
and said pivot shaft is disposed in a range which is defined on a
front side of a vertex located at a rear end (P) of a side-view
rectangle of said fuel cell, and which is defined on the rear side
of a vertex located at a lower end (Q) of the side-view rectangle
of said fuel cell, further comprising: hydrogen reserving means for
reserving hydrogen gas to be supplied to said fuel cell, wherein
said hydrogen reserving means is disposed on an upper side of the
rear wheel, and a hydrogen gas supply port of said fuel cell is
provided on an upper part side in the longitudinal direction of
said fuel cell.
10. The saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim
9, wherein the fuel cell is supplied with a hydrogen-containing
fuel gas and an oxygen-containing reactant gas and which discharges
an unreacted gas and reaction product water, wherein said fuel cell
includes a case for containing a plurality of cells stacked, a
reactant gas suction port for supplying said reactant gas from an
upper side of said case, and an unreacted gas discharge port for
discharging said unreacted gas from a lower side of said case, and
said two reactant gas suction ports are provided so as to be
substantially perpendicular to the plane of said cells and to be
located on opposite sides of said case.
11. The fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 9, further
comprising: hydrogen reserving means for reserving hydrogen gas to
be supplied to said fuel cell; and a hydrogen sensor for detecting
the hydrogen gas; wherein said saddle ride, fuel cell powered
vehicle has an exterior equipment covering a vehicle body, and has
a configuration in which outside air is introduced through an
opening provided on a vehicle body front side of said exterior
equipment into an inside of said vehicle body, is passed through
the inside of said vehicle body inclusive of said fuel cell, is
then converged to a rear part of said vehicle body and is
discharged to an exterior, said hydrogen reserving means is
disposed on a vehicle body rear side relative to said fuel cell,
and said hydrogen sensor is disposed near a rear end part of said
hydrogen reserving means.
12. A fuel cell powered vehicle which is driven to run by electric
power supplied from a fuel cell, comprising: a pivot shaft for
swingably supporting a swing arm on a vehicle body frame; a rear
wheel mounted to said swing arm; and a seat for seating a driver,
wherein said fuel cell is formed in a substantially rectangular
parallelepiped shape, and is disposed below said seat in a state of
being inclined toward a vehicle body rear side from a state of
having a longitudinal direction of the fuel cell in a vertical
direction, and said pivot shaft is disposed in a range which is
defined in front of a vertex located at a rear end (P) of a
side-view rectangle of said fuel cell, and which is defined to a
rear of a vertex located at a lower end (Q) of the side-view
rectangle of said fuel cell, the fuel cell powered vehicle further
comprising: hydrogen reserving means for reserving hydrogen gas to
be supplied to said fuel cell; and a hydrogen sensor for detecting
the hydrogen gas; wherein said saddle ride, fuel cell powered
vehicle has an exterior equipment covering a vehicle body, and has
a configuration in which outside air is introduced through an
opening provided on a vehicle body front side of said exterior
equipment into an inside of said vehicle body, is passed through
the inside of said vehicle body inclusive of said fuel cell, is
then converged to a rear part of said vehicle body and is
discharged to an exterior, said hydrogen reserving means is
disposed on a vehicle body rear side relative to said fuel cell,
and said hydrogen sensor is disposed near a rear end part of said
hydrogen reserving means.
13. The fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 12, wherein
said pivot shaft is disposed in a range which is defined below the
vertex located at the rear end (P) of the side-view rectangle of
said fuel cell, and which is defined higher than the vertex located
at the lower end (Q) of the side-view rectangle of said fuel
cell.
14. The fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 12, further
comprising: a steering handle for steering a front wheel; and foot
rest parts for a driver provided between said steering handle and
said seat, wherein said fuel cell is disposed on the vehicle body
rear side of said foot rest parts so that a center of gravity (G1)
of said fuel cell is located on the vehicle body front side
relative to the center (G2) in the front-rear direction of a
seating part on which to seat the driver at the time of riding.
15. The fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 12, further
comprising: hydrogen reserving means for reserving hydrogen gas to
be supplied to said fuel cell, wherein said hydrogen reserving
means is disposed on an upper side of the rear wheel, and a
hydrogen gas supply port of said fuel cell is provided on an upper
part side in the longitudinal direction of said fuel cell.
16. The fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 12, wherein
the fuel cell is supplied with a hydrogen-containing fuel gas and
an oxygen-containing reactant gas and which discharges an unreacted
gas and reaction product water, wherein said fuel cell includes a
case for containing a plurality of cells stacked, a reactant gas
suction port for supplying said reactant gas from an upper side of
said case, and an unreacted gas discharge port for discharging said
unreacted gas from a lower side of said case, and said two reactant
gas suction ports are provided so as to be substantially
perpendicular to the plane of said cells and to be located on
opposite sides of said case.
17. The fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 16, further
comprising: a suction-side manifold for connecting said two
reactant gas suction ports to each other on an outside of said
case, a supercharger for forcibly supplying said reactant gas, and
a reactant gas pipe for connection between said supercharger and
said suction-side manifold.
18. The fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 16, wherein
two said unreacted gas discharge ports are provided so as to be
substantially perpendicular to a plane of said cells and to be
located on opposite sides of said case, and said vehicle further
comprises a discharge-side manifold for connecting said two
unreacted gas discharge ports to each other on the outside of said
case.
19. The fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 12, wherein
said hydrogen reserving means is disposed with its longitudinal
direction set along a vehicle body front-rear direction, and a
second hydrogen sensor is disposed near a front end part of said
hydrogen reserving means.
20. The fuel cell powered vehicle according to claim 12, wherein a
motor-driven fan for forcibly introducing the outside air into the
inside of said vehicle body is provided at said opening.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
to Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2007-094250, 2007-094246, and
2007-094248, each of which was filed Mar. 30, 2007, the entire
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a saddle ride, fuel cell powered
vehicle, and particularly to a saddle ride, fuel cell powered
vehicle in which the overall length of the vehicle can be reduced
while keeping an appropriate weight balance in the vehicle body
front-rear direction. The fuel cell powered vehicle having such a
configuration that the efficiency in supplying a reactant gas to a
fuel cell can be enhanced, that a sufficient amount of the reactant
gas can be sucked into the fuel cell without enlarging a
supercharger, and that leakage of hydrogen from any part of
hydrogen reserving means and each hydrogen passage can be detected
assuredly.
2. Description of Background Art
Conventionally, there have been known fuel cell powered vehicles on
which a fuel cell for generating electric power through a chemical
reaction between hydrogen and oxygen is mounted and which are
driven to run by the electric power supplied from the fuel cell. In
such a vehicle, the fuel cell occupying a large proportion of the
vehicle weight is in many cases disposed in the vicinity of the
center of the vehicle body, in consideration of the weight balance
in the vehicle body front-rear direction.
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2005-112094 discloses a fuel cell
powered motorcycle in which a fuel cell is disposed at the lowest
part of the vehicle body and substantially at the center in the
front-rear direction of the vehicle body.
According to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open
No. 2005-112094, however, the longitudinal direction of the fuel
cell is set in the vehicle body front-rear direction, so that it is
difficult for a pivot shaft for swingably supporting a swing arm to
be located rather on the front side relative to a rear end part of
the fuel cell. This makes it difficult to apply the technique of
contriving a reduction in the overall vehicle body length by
shortening the wheel base, while securing a sufficient swing arm
length.
In addition, conventional fuel cell powered vehicles have been
known on which a fuel cell for generating electric power through a
chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen is mounted and which
are driven to run by the electric power supplied from the fuel
cell. In a solid polymer membrane type fuel cell supplied with a
hydrogen-containing fuel gas and an oxygen-containing reactant gas,
suction ports for the fuel gas and the reactant gas are preferably
provided on the upper side of the fuel cell, since the reaction
product water produced at the time of power generation flows to the
lower side of the fuel cell due to gravity.
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2005-112094 discloses a configuration
of a fuel cell powered vehicle based on application of a direct
methanol type fuel cell, wherein a reactant gas supply port is
provided on the upper side of the fuel cell.
As a technique for supplying the fuel cell with a larger quantity
of the reactant gas, it may be contemplated to enhance the ability
of the supercharger to supply the reactant gas to the fuel cell.
From this point of view, the above-mentioned problem has hitherto
been solved by enlarging the supercharger. However, with regard to
a configuration which makes it possible to supply the reactant gas
in an amount sufficient for the power generating reaction by
enhancing the efficiency in supplying the reactant gas to the fuel
cell without enlarging the supercharger, there has yet been room
for contrivance. Such a configuration is not investigated in
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2005-112094.
Still further, conventional fuel cell powered vehicles have been
known on which a fuel cell for generating electric power through a
chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen is mounted and which
are driven to run by the electric power supplied from the fuel
cell. In relation to such a fuel cell powered vehicle, a
configuration is publicly known in which a hydrogen sensor for
detecting leakage of hydrogen from any part of hydrogen reserving
means, such as a hydrogen cylinder, and each hydrogen passage is
mounted.
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2003-291849 discloses a configuration
of a fuel cell powered vehicle having a compartment shielded from
the outside air, wherein a hydrogen sensor is mounted at the
highest position of a roof panel constituting a ceiling part of the
compartment, whereby penetration of hydrogen (which is lighter than
air) into the compartment can be recognized efficiently.
However, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2003-291849 contains little
investigation as to a configuration for a saddle ride, fuel cell
powered vehicle such as a motorcycle and a three-wheel vehicle
having no compartment, wherein leakage of hydrogen from any part of
hydrogen reserving means and each hydrogen passage can be
detected.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide, for solving
the above-mentioned problem involved in the prior art, a saddle
ride, fuel cell powered vehicle in which the overall vehicle body
length can be reduced while retaining an appropriate weight balance
in the vehicle body front-rear direction. It is another object of
the present invention to provide a fuel cell powered vehicle having
such a configuration that the efficiency in supplying a fuel cell
with a reactant gas can be enhanced and that a sufficient quantity
of the reactant gas can be sucked into the fuel cell without
enlarging a supercharger. It is still another object of the present
invention to provide a saddle ride, cell powered vehicle having a
configuration in which leakage of hydrogen from any part of
hydrogen reserving means and each hydrogen passage can be detected
assuredly.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a saddle ride,
fuel cell powered vehicle is driven to run by electric power
supplied from a fuel cell. The vehicle includes a pivot shaft for
swingably supporting a swing arm on a vehicle body frame, with a
rear wheel mounted to the swing arm, and a seat for seating a
driver. The fuel cell is formed in a substantially rectangular
parallelepiped shape, and is disposed on the lower side of the seat
in the state of being inclined toward the vehicle body rear side
from the state of having its longitudinal direction in the vertical
direction. The pivot shaft is disposed in a range which is defined
on the front side of a vertex, located at the rear end, of the
side-view rectangle of the fuel cell and which is defined on the
rear side of a vertex, located at the lower end, of the side-view
rectangle of the fuel cell.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pivot
shaft is disposed in a range which is defined on the lower side of
a vertex, located at the rear end, of the side-view rectangle of
the fuel cell and which is defined on the upper side of a vertex,
located at the lower end, of the side-view rectangle of the fuel
cell.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the saddle
ride, fuel cell powered vehicle further includes a steering handle
for steering a front wheel; and foot rest parts for a driver are
provided between the steering handle and the seat, and the fuel
cell is disposed on the vehicle body rear side of the foot rest
parts so that the center of gravity of the fuel cell is located on
the vehicle body front side relative to the center in the
front-rear direction of a seating part on which to seat the driver
at the time of riding.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle
saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle further includes hydrogen
reserving means for reserving hydrogen gas to be supplied to the
fuel cell; the hydrogen reserving means is disposed on the upper
side of a rear wheel; and a hydrogen gas supply port of the fuel
cell is provided on the upper part side in the longitudinal
direction of the fuel cell.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a fuel cell
which generates electric power is supplied with a
hydrogen-containing fuel gas and an oxygen-containing reactant gas
and which discharges an unreacted gas and reaction product water.
In addition, the fuel cell includes a case for containing a
plurality of cells stacked, a reactant gas suction port for
supplying the reactant gas from the upper side of the case, and an
unreacted gas discharge port for discharging the unreacted gas from
the lower side of the case; and two such reactant gas suction ports
are provided so as to be substantially perpendicular to the plane
of the cells and to be located on opposite sides of the case.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fuel cell
powered vehicle further includes a suction-side manifold for
connecting the two reactant gas suction ports to each other on the
outside of the case, a supercharger for forcibly supplying the
reactant gas, and a reactant gas pipe for connection between the
supercharger and the suction-side manifold.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, two such
unreacted gas discharge ports are provided so as to be
substantially perpendicular to the plane of the cells and to be
located on opposite sides of the case; and the fuel cell powered
vehicle further includes a discharge-side manifold for connecting
the two unreacted gas discharge ports to each other on the outside
of the case.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a saddle ride,
fuel cell powered vehicle is driven to run by electric power
supplied from a fuel cell. The saddle ride, fuel cell powered
vehicle includes hydrogen reserving means for reserving hydrogen
gas to be supplied to the fuel cell, and a hydrogen sensor for
detecting the hydrogen gas. The saddle ride, fuel cell powered
vehicle has an exterior equipment covering a vehicle body, and has
a configuration in which the outside air is introduced through an
opening provided on the vehicle body front side of the exterior
equipment into the inside of the vehicle body, is passed through
the inside of the vehicle body inclusive of the fuel cell, is then
converged to a rear part of the vehicle body and is discharged to
the exterior. The hydrogen reserving means is disposed on the
vehicle body rear side relative to the fuel cell, and the hydrogen
sensor is disposed near a rear end part of the hydrogen reserving
means.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hydrogen
reserving means is disposed with its longitudinal direction set
along the vehicle body front-rear direction, and a second hydrogen
sensor is disposed near a front end part of the hydrogen reserving
means.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a motor-driven
fan for forcibly introducing the outside air into the inside of the
vehicle body is provided at the opening.
Effects of the Invention Include the Following:
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the fuel cell
is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and
is disposed on the lower side of the seat in the state of being
inclined toward the vehicle body rear side from the state of having
its longitudinal direction in the vertical direction; and the pivot
shaft is disposed in a range which is defined on the front side of
a vertex, located at the rear end, of the side-view rectangle of
the fuel cell and which is defined on the rear side of a vertex,
located at the lower end, of the side-view rectangle of the fuel
cell. Therefore, the pivot shaft can be disposed rather on the
vehicle body front side, as compared with the case where, for
example, the fuel cell is disposed with its longitudinal direction
set in the vehicle body front-rear direction. This makes it
possible to contrive a reduction in the overall vehicle body length
by shortening the wheel base, while securing a sufficient swing arm
length. Furthermore, since the fuel cell is inclined toward the
vehicle body rear side, the reaction product water produced at the
time of power generation and collecting on the lower side of the
fuel cell is permitted to flow favorably, whereby draining
performance can be enhanced.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the pivot
shaft is disposed in a range which is defined on the lower side of
a vertex, located at the rear end, of the side-view rectangle of
the fuel cell and which is defined on the upper side of a vertex,
located at the lower end, of the side-view rectangle of the fuel
cell. Therefore, the fuel cell is disposed on the vehicle body
lower side, whereby a lowering of the center of gravity can be
contrived, and a compacter vehicle body can be obtained.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the saddle
ride, fuel cell powered vehicle further includes a steering handle
for steering a front wheel; and foot rest parts for a driver are
provided between the steering handle and the seat, and the fuel
cell is disposed on the vehicle body rear side of the foot rest
parts so that the center of gravity of the fuel cell is located on
the vehicle body front side relative to the center in the
front-rear direction of a seating part on which to seat the driver
at the time of riding. Therefore, the center of gravity of the fuel
cell can be set on the vehicle body front side relative to the
center of gravity of the driver at the time of riding, the centers
of gravities of heavyweight bodies can be concentrated
substantially in the center in the vehicle front-rear direction,
and the weight balance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle
body can be enhanced. In addition, since the fuel cell is disposed
on the vehicle body rear side of the foot rest parts, the rider
does not stride over the fuel cell when he gets on or gets off the
vehicle, so that it is made easier for the rider to get on or get
off the saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle
saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle further includes hydrogen
reserving means for reserving hydrogen gas to be supplied to the
fuel cell; the hydrogen reserving means is disposed on the upper
side of a rear wheel; and a hydrogen gas supply port of the fuel
cell is provided on the upper part side in the longitudinal
direction of the fuel cell. Therefore, the distance between the
hydrogen reserving means and the hydrogen gas suction port of the
fuel cell is reduced, the hydrogen supply path such as the fuel gas
pipe is shortened, and pressure loss can be thereby reduced.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the fuel cell
includes a case for containing a plurality of cells stacked, a
reactant gas suction port for supplying the reactant gas from the
upper side of the case, and an unreacted gas discharge port for
discharging the unreacted gas from the lower side of the case; and
two reactant gas suction ports are provided so as to be
substantially perpendicular to the plane of the cells and to be
located on opposite sides of the case. Therefore, it becomes easy
to increase the quantity of the reactant gas sucked in, and the
reactant gas supplying efficiency can be enhanced. As a result, it
becomes possible to supply the reactant gas in a sufficient
quantity necessary for the fuel cell, without enlarging a
supercharger. In addition, since the reactant gas is introduced
through both side parts of the case, the reactant gas can be
supplied evenly with regard to the stacking direction of the cell
stack, as compared for example with a system in which the reactant
gas is sucked in from either one of the opposite sides, and it
becomes possible to enhance the power generation efficiency of the
fuel cell.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the fuel cell
powered vehicle further includes a suction-side manifold for
connecting the two reactant gas suction ports to each other on the
outside of the case, a supercharger for forcibly supplying the
reactant gas, and a reactant gas pipe for connection between the
supercharger and the suction-side manifold. Therefore, by use of
the single reactant gas pipe, it becomes possible to supply the
reactant gas simultaneously through the two reactant gas suction
ports. In addition, since the layout position of the reactant gas
pipe can be modified by modifying the position of connection with
the suction-side manifold, the layout of the reactant gas pipe is
not limited although the two reactant gas suction ports are
provided, and it becomes possible to enhance the degree of freedom
in designing the vehicle body and the like.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, two unreacted
gas discharge ports are provided so as to be substantially
perpendicular to the plane of the cells and to be located on
opposite sides of the case; and the fuel cell powered vehicle
further includes a discharge-side manifold for connecting the two
unreacted gas discharge ports to each other on the outside of the
case. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the resistance to
discharge of the unreacted gas, and, accordingly, to suck in a
larger quantity of the reaction gas, thereby enhancing the power
generation efficiency of the fuel cell.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the saddle
ride, fuel cell powered vehicle includes hydrogen reserving means
for reserving hydrogen gas to be supplied to the fuel cell, and a
hydrogen sensor for detecting the hydrogen gas. The saddle ride,
fuel cell powered vehicle has an exterior equipment covering a
vehicle body, and has a configuration in which the outside air is
introduced through an opening provided on the vehicle body front
side of the exterior equipment into the inside of the vehicle body,
is passed through the inside of the vehicle body inclusive of the
fuel cell, is then converged to a rear part of the vehicle body and
is discharged to the exterior. The hydrogen reserving means is
disposed on the vehicle body rear side relative to the fuel cell;
and the hydrogen sensor is disposed near a rear end part of the
hydrogen reserving means.
Therefore, the flow of air converged to the vehicle body rear side
passes through the peripheries of all the hydrogen passages, so
that leakage of hydrogen at any position can be detected assuredly.
In addition, even if hydrogen leakage should occur, the leaked
hydrogen would be swiftly discharged to the exterior of the vehicle
body, so that hydrogen is prevented from stagnating in the inside
of the vehicle body. Further, the fuel cell accompanied by heat
generation at the time of power generation can be cooled by
utilizing the flow of air in the inside of the vehicle body.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the hydrogen
reserving means is disposed with its longitudinal direction set
along the vehicle body front-rear direction, and a second hydrogen
sensor is disposed near a front end part of the hydrogen reserving
means. Therefore, leakage of hydrogen at a position on the vehicle
body front side relative to the hydrogen reserving means, for
example, at the fuel cell can be detected swiftly. In addition, in
the case where, for example, hydrogen leakage is detected by the
hydrogen sensor near the rear end part of the hydrogen reserving
means but hydrogen leakage is not detected by the second hydrogen
sensor, it is possible to specifically judge that the position of
the hydrogen leakage is on the vehicle body rear side relative to
the second hydrogen sensor.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, a
motor-driven fan for forcibly introducing the outside air into the
inside of the vehicle body is provided at the opening. Therefore,
airflow similar to that during running can be obtained even when
the vehicle is at stoppage, and, even if hydrogen leakage should
occur, the leakage can be detected assuredly, and the leaked
hydrogen can be swiftly discharged to the exterior of the vehicle
body. In addition, the fuel cell can be cooled with the airflow
even when the vehicle is at stoppage.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become
apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However,
it should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention,
are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and
modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will become more fully understood from the
detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying
drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are
not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a saddle ride, fuel cell powered
vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a right side view of a saddle ride, fuel cell powered
vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a saddle ride, fuel cell powered
vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a left side view of a saddle ride, fuel cell powered
vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the layout condition of the fuel
cell;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the mounted
condition of the fuel cell;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fuel cell according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of
the fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 9 is a front view of a cell incorporated in the fuel cell
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a front view of a saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a left side view of a saddle ride, fuel cell powered
vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;
and
FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a fuel cell powered vehicle according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuel cell powered vehicle 1
according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a
right side view of the fuel cell powered vehicle 1. The fuel cell
powered vehicle 1 as a saddle ride, motorcycle has a fuel cell
power generation system including a cell stack (inclusive of
electrodes, a separator, an electrolyte membrane and the like)
having a plurality of cells stacked, a fuel (hydrogen) gas supply
system for supplying hydrogen gas as a fuel to the cell stack, and
a reactant gas supply system for supplying an oxygen-containing
reactant gas (air) to the cell stack. Hereinafter, a substantially
rectangular parallelepiped casing containing the cell stack therein
will, as a whole, be referred to as a fuel cell 30.
The fuel cell powered vehicle 1 has a framework including a main
frame 2 to which a head pipe for turnably supporting a handle post
4 of a steering handle 5 is joined, an under frame 6 joined to the
head pipe and extending rearwards on the lower side of a vehicle
body, a guard pipe 7 covering the fuel cell 30 disposed
substantially at the center of the vehicle body, an upper pipe 8
disposed on the upper side of the guard pipe 7, a connecting pipe
28 extending upwards from a rear end part of the guard pipe 7 and
connected to the upper pipe 8, and a rear frame 9 for supporting
two hydrogen cylinders 15 on the rear side of the upper pipe 8. A
left-right pair type front fork 3 for rotatably supporting a front
wheel WF is mounted on the lower side of the handle post 5, and the
steering angle of the front wheel WF can be changed by turning the
steering handle 5.
A swing arm 11 suspended from the vehicle body by a rear cushion 12
is swingably supported on a pivot shaft 13 provided at a rear end
part of the under frame 6. A driving motor (not shown) as a power
source of the fuel cell powered vehicle 1 is incorporated in the
swing arm 11, and a rear wheel WR is driven by the driving
motor.
A scroll type compressor 52 as a supercharger for forcibly feeding
the reactant gas under pressure, a humidifier 53 for controlling
the humidity of the reactant gas, the fuel cell 30 having the
substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, a voltage converter
unit (VCU) 50 for raising or lowering the power generation voltage
of the fuel cell 30 so as to convert the voltage to a predetermined
voltage, and a secondary cell 51 for storing the electric power
supplied from the fuel cell 30 are disposed in a space surrounded
by the main frame 2 and the under frame 6. In addition, a
left-right pair of radiators 60L, 60R for cooling the cooling water
for the fuel cell 30 are mounted on the vehicle body front side of
the main frame 2, and motor-driven cooling fans 61 for enhancing
the cooling effect are disposed at back surface parts of the
radiators 60L, 60R.
The fuel cell 30 being rectangular in side view is mounted to the
vehicle body in the state of having the rectangular side-view shape
as a vertically elongate shape and being inclined toward the
vehicle body rear side. The fuel cell 30 is fitted with a fuel gas
pipe 45 for supplying a hydrogen-containing fuel gas, a
suction-side manifold 33 as a piping for supplying an
oxygen-containing reactant gas, and a discharge-side manifold 36 as
a piping for discharging both an unreacted gas having passed
through the cell stack and reaction product water. The
substantially cylindrical hydrogen cylinders 15 are supported by
the rear frame 9 and a guide pipe 10 on the upper side of the rear
wheel (drive wheel) WR in the condition where the valve side
thereof to be connected to a hydrogen cylinder regulator 16 is
directed toward the vehicle body front side.
Hydrogen contained in the hydrogen cylinders 15 is supplied through
the fuel gas pipe 45 to the fuel cell 30 after its pressure is
lowered by the hydrogen cylinder regulator 16, which is
electrically controlled based on data sent from various sensors and
the like. Incidentally, a rear cowl 14 as a part of an armor member
is disposed on the upper side of the rear frame 9 so as to cover
the hydrogen cylinders 15.
An air cleaner box 54 for filtration of the outside air is provided
on the vehicle body front side of the handle post 4, and the air
introduced through the air cleaner box 54 is fed under pressure to
the humidifier 53 by the scroll type compressor 52. The reactant
gas appropriately humidified by the humidifier 53 is fed under
pressure to the fuel cell 30 through a reactant gas pipe 34 and the
suction-side manifold 33 connected to the reactant gas pipe 34.
A left-right pair of motor-driven fans 70 for positively
introducing the outside air to the inside of the armor member (not
shown) formed from resin sheets or the like and covering the
vehicle body, i.e., into the inside of the vehicle body are mounted
on the lower side of the radiators 60L, 60R. In addition, a
thermostat 52a for keeping the temperature of the cooling water for
the fuel cell 30 at a predetermined value is mounted on the right
side in the vehicle width direction of the scroll type compressor
52.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the saddle ride, fuel cell powered
vehicle 1. The same symbols as used above denote the parts which
are the same as or equivalent to those shown above. A fuel gas
suction hole 38 connected to a fuel gas pipe 45 and a reactant gas
suction port 32 connected to the suction-side manifold 33 are
provided at upper parts of the fuel cell 30 disposed in the center
in the vehicle width direction. Such a layout of the fuel gas
suction hole 38 ensures that the distance between the fuel gas
suction hole 38 and the hydrogen cylinders 15 disposed on the upper
side of the rear wheel WR is reduced, so that the hydrogen supply
path such as the fuel gas pipe 45 can be shortened, and pressure
loss can be reduced.
A voltage converter unit 50 having a substantially rectangular
parallelepiped shape is disposed on the vehicle body front side of
the fuel cell 30 in the center in the vehicle width direction so
that the left-right pair of main frames 2 are located on both
lateral sides thereof. Radiating fins 50a composed of a
multiplicity of thin plate-like members made of a metal or the like
and erected in the vehicle body front-rear direction are attached
to the top surface of the voltage converter unit 50.
FIG. 4 is a left side view of the saddle ride, fuel cell powered
vehicle 1. In addition, FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the
layout condition of the fuel cell 30. The same symbols as used
above denote the parts which are the same as or equivalent to those
shown above. In the saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle 1
according to this embodiment, foot rest plates 19 for mounting the
driver's feet thereon when the driver 100 rides the vehicle are
provided between the steering handle 5 and the seat 18, and the
fuel cell 30 is disposed on the vehicle body rear side of the foot
rest parts 19. Such a layout of the fuel cell 30 ensures that the
center of gravity G2 of the fuel cell 30 can be located on the
vehicle body front side relative to the seating part center G2 in
the front-rear direction of a driver seating part 18a, on which the
driver 100 is seated, of a seat 18, in other words, relative to the
center of gravity of the driver 100 at the time of riding; thus,
the centers of gravity of heavyweight bodies can be concentrated
substantially in the center in the vehicle body front-rear
direction, and the weight balance in the front-rear direction of
the vehicle body can be enhanced.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the center of gravity G1 of
the fuel cell 30 is set on the vehicle body front side relative to
the seating part center G2 in the front-rear direction of the
driver seating part 18a, i.e., relative to the center of gravity of
the driver 100 at the time of riding, by the distance A. Besides,
since the fuel cell 30 is disposed on the vehicle body rear side of
the foot rest parts 19, the driver 100 does not stride over the
fuel cell 30 when he gets on or gets off the vehicle, so that it is
made easier for the driver 100 to get on and get off the saddle
ride, fuel cell powered vehicle 1.
Referring to FIG. 5, the fuel cell 30 formed in a substantially
rectangular parallelepiped shape is disposed on the lower side of
the seat 18 in the state of being inclined toward the vehicle body
rear side from the state of having its longitudinal direction set
vertical. This makes it possible for the pivot shaft 13 for
swingably supporting the swing arm 11 to be disposed rather on the
vehicle body front side, as compared with the case where, for
example, the fuel cell is disposed with its longitudinal direction
set in the vehicle front-rear direction. Here, paying attention to
the side-view rectangle 30H of the fuel cell 30, a vertex P is
located at a rear end part of the side-view rectangle 30H, and a
vertex Q is located at a lower end part of the side-view rectangle
30H. In this embodiment, the pivot shaft 13 is disposed in a range
X which is defined on the front side of the vertex P of the
side-view rectangle 30H and which is defined on the rear side of
the vertex Q, and the pivot shaft 13 is disposed in a range Y which
is defined on the lower side of the vertex P and which is defined
on the upper side of the vertex Q. As a result, the pivot shaft 13
is contained in a right-angled triangle 30T adjacent to the
side-view rectangle 30H, whereby it is made possible to contrive a
reduction in the overall vehicle body length by shortening the
wheel base, while securing a sufficient swing arm length.
In addition, it is possible to dispose the fuel cell 30 on the
vehicle body lower side, thereby to contrive a lowering of the
center of gravity, and to obtain a compacter vehicle body. Further,
since the fuel cell 30 is inclined largely (for example, by 30
degrees) toward the vehicle body rear side, the reaction product
water produced at the time of power generation and collecting on
the lower side of the fuel cell 30 is permitted to flow favorably,
whereby draining performance can be enhanced.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the mounted condition of the
fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. The
same symbols as used above denote the parts which are the same as
or equivalent to those shown above. The air fed under pressure by
the scroll type compressor 52 is passed through the humidifier 53,
whereby it is converted into the reactant gas having a
predetermined humidity. The reactant gas is led through the
reactant gas pipe 34 to the vehicle body rear and upper side, and
supplied into the suction-side manifold 33 mounted on the upper
side of the fuel cell 30. Incidentally, the periphery of the fuel
cell 30 is surrounded by the under frame 6, the guard pipe 7, the
upper pipe 8, and the connecting pipe 28 so that even if an impact
should be externally exerted, transmission of the impact to the
fuel cell 30 would be restrained as assuredly as possible.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fuel cell 30. In addition, FIG.
8 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the
fuel cell, and FIG. 9 is a front view of the cell constituting the
cell stack. The fuel cell 30 has a configuration in which the cell
stack having a plurality of (for example, fifty) cells 40 stacked
is contained in a box-like case 31, with the stacking direction set
in the vehicle front-rear direction. The cell 40 having a
sheet-like shape has a configuration in which a reaction part 42
including a separator, a fuel gas passage groove, an electrolyte
membrane, and a reactant gas passage groove is disposed in the
center, and a reactant gas suction hole 32a, a fuel gas suction
hole 38a, an unreacted gas discharge hole 35a for discharging both
the unreacted gas and the reaction product water, and a residual
fuel gas outlet 37a are formed respectively at the four corners of
a base part 41 for supporting the reaction part 42.
The respective holes are made to communicate respectively upon
stacking of the cells 40, to form predetermined passages (a
reactant gas suction passage, a fuel gas suction passage, an
unreacted gas/reaction product water discharge passage, and a
residual fuel gas outlet passage) extending along the stacking
direction. Incidentally, the fuel cell 30 according to this
embodiment is so configured that introduction of the fuel gas is
conducted from the vehicle front side of the fuel gas suction port
38.
The fuel cell 30 is provided with two reactant gas suction ports 32
located to be on opposite sides of the case 31 in the stacking
direction of the cells 40. The suction-side manifold 33 connects
the two reactant gas suction ports 32 to each other on the outside
of the fuel cell 30, so that the reactant gas can be supplied
simultaneously through the two suction ports. This ensures that it
becomes easy to increase the quantity of the reactant gas sucked
in, and it becomes possible to enhance the reactant gas supplying
efficiency. In addition, such a layout of the reactant gas suction
ports 32 ensures that the reactant gas is introduced from both
sides in the stacking direction of the cells 40, so that the
reactant gas can be supplied evenly in the stacking direction of
the cell stack, as compared for example with a system in which the
reactant gas is introduced from either one of the opposite sides;
besides, it becomes possible to enhance the efficiency of reaction
with the reaction part 42.
Incidentally, the reactant gas pipe 34 can be connected to the
suction-side manifold 33 at an arbitrary portion such as a central
portion and an end portion, so that the layout or laying-around of
the reactant gas pipe 34 is not limited although the two reactant
gas suction ports 32 are provided; thus, the degree of freedom in
designing the vehicle body and the like is enhanced.
In addition, in this embodiment, as for the unreacted gas discharge
port 35, also, two such unreacted gas discharge ports 35 are
provided so as to be located on opposite sides of the case 31 in
the stacking direction of the cells 40. The discharge-side manifold
36 connects the two unreacted gas discharge ports 35 to each other
on the outside of the fuel cell 30, so that the unreacted gas is
discharged simultaneously through the two discharge ports, whereby
it is made possible to reduce the resistance to discharge of the
unreacted gas and it is made easy to increase the quantity of the
reactant gas sucked in.
FIG. 10 is a front view of the fuel cell powered vehicle 1. The
same symbols as used above denote the parts which are the same as
or equivalent to those shown above. The left and right radiators
60L, 60R are mounted in the condition where their flat surface
parts for disposing radiator cores are inclined toward the vehicle
body center side, in such a manner as to prevent the cooling effect
from being lowered due to Mocking of the running airflow by the
front wheel WR and the front fork 3. The secondary cell 51 is
disposed between the left and right radiators 60L and 60R, on the
vehicle body rear side of the front wheel WF. Of the vehicle body
of the fuel cell powered vehicle 1, most part exclusive of the
wheels is covered with a cowling 17 provided as an armor
member.
The cowling 17 is formed from a resin sheet or the like,
constitutes the appearance of the fuel cell powered vehicle 1, and
has the function of preventing penetration of rains, dust or the
like into the inside of the vehicle body and the function of
straightening the running airflow. A left-right pair of openings 71
are formed on the vehicle body front side of the cowling 17, and
motor-driven fans 70 for forcibly introducing the outside air into
the inside of the cowling 17 are disposed substantially at the
centers of the openings 71.
FIGS. 11 and 12 are a left side view and a top plan view of the
fuel cell powered vehicle 1. The same symbols as used above denote
the parts which are the same as or equivalent to those shown above.
The cowling 17 of the fuel cell powered vehicle 1 is so configured
that when the fuel cell powered vehicle 1 is running under the
operation by the driver 100, the running airflow 27 is introduced
through the openings 71 into the inside of the vehicle body, and,
even when the fuel cell powered vehicle 1 is at stoppage, airflows
similar to those during running as indicated by arrows in the
figures are generated in the inside of the vehicle body by driving
the motor-driven fans 70 through automatic control or manual
operation.
The outside air introduced through the openings 71 is guided
through duct structures (not shown) formed on the inside of the
cowling 17, flows rearwards through the periphery of the hydrogen
cylinder regulator 16 mounted on the vehicle body front side of the
hydrogen cylinders 15 disposed at a lower part of a seat 18 and
through the periphery of the hydrogen cylinders 15, is finally
converged to a rear part of the rear cowl 14, and is discharged as
a discharge gas 29. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the flows
inside the vehicle body are utilized to cool the fuel cell 30 and
the voltage converter unit 50 as well.
The fuel cell powered vehicle 1 according to this embodiment is
fitted with two hydrogen sensors for detecting leakage of hydrogen
from any part of the hydrogen cylinders 15 and each hydrogen
passage. In a saddle ride, vehicle which normally does not have any
compartment shielded from the outside air, if hydrogen leakage or
the like should occur, it would be difficult for the leaked
hydrogen to stagnate inside the vehicle body, so that the hydrogen
leakage itself would be difficult to detect even with the hydrogen
sensors installed.
In the fuel cell powered vehicle 1 in this embodiment, however, the
airflows as above-mentioned are intentionally generated and the
hydrogen sensors are disposed at predetermined positions, whereby
hydrogen leakage can be detected efficiently. Thus, even if
hydrogen leakage should occur, the leaked hydrogen is swiftly
discharged to the exterior of the vehicle body, so that hydrogen
can be prevented from stagnating in a location.
In this embodiment, a first hydrogen sensor 81 is mounted at a rear
end upper part of the hydrogen cylinders 15, and a second hydrogen
sensor 91 is mounted at a front end upper part of the hydrogen
cylinders 15, i.e., between the fuel cell 30 and the hydrogen
cylinders 15. Incidentally, since each hydrogen sensor is smaller
(for example, a few centimeters cube) as compared with the hydrogen
cylinder 15 and the like, only its layout position is indicated by
a broken-line square in FIGS. 11 and 12. Incidentally, in view of
flowing-up of hydrogen lighter than air, each hydrogen sensor is
preferably mounted at the highest position in an allowable layout
range.
The first hydrogen sensor 81 is disposed in a layout range 80 near
rear end parts of the hydrogen cylinders 15, whereby the hydrogen
detection performance is enhanced. This is because the airflows
intentionally generated pass through the peripheries of all the
hydrogen passages, to be converged on the vehicle body rear side.
As a result, leakage of hydrogen can be assuredly detected by the
first hydrogen sensor 81, irrespectively of the position of the
hydrogen leakage.
In addition, a second hydrogen sensor 91 is disposed in a layout
range 90 near front end parts of the hydrogen cylinders 15, whereby
the hydrogen leakage detection performance is further enhanced.
This configuration ensures that when hydrogen leakage occurs on the
vehicle body front side, for example, at the fuel cell 30 or at the
fuel gas pipe 45, the leakage can be swiftly detected. In addition,
in the case where hydrogen leakage is detected by the first
hydrogen sensor 81 but is not detected by the second hydrogen
sensor 91, it is possible to infer that the position of the
hydrogen leakage is on the vehicle body rear side relative to the
second hydrogen sensor 91. Incidentally, when hydrogen leakage is
detected, it is possible to inform the rider and the like of the
leakage by an alarm or speaker attached to the fuel cell powered
vehicle.
As has been described above, according to the fuel cell powered
vehicle based on the present invention, the outside air is
introduced through the openings 71 of the cowling 17 so as to form
predetermined airflows inside the vehicle body, the airflows are
converged to a rear part of the vehicle body and discharged, and
the hydrogen sensors 81, 91 are mounted in the vicinity of the
hydrogen cylinders 15 disposed at a rear part of the vehicle body.
Therefore, hydrogen leakage can be detected securely,
irrespectively of the location of the portion, relevant to the
hydrogen leakage, of all the hydrogen passages.
Incidentally, the shapes of the fuel cell and the foot rest parts,
the layout position of the pivot shaft, the inclination angle and
the vertical position of the fuel cell, the ratio of the length of
the swing arm to the wheel base, etc. are not limited to those in
the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are
possible.
Further, the reactant gas sucked into the cell stack flows in the
direction from the reactant gas suction passage 32a toward an
unreacted gas discharge passage 35a, as shown in FIG. 9. Since the
reactant gas supplied from the upper part side of the fuel cell is
gradually consumed in the course of flowing downwards, if the
quantity of the reactant gas supplied is deficient, the chance of
chemical reaction may be reduced on the lower side in the reaction
part 42, resulting in a lowered power generation efficiency. In the
fuel cell powered vehicle according to the present invention,
however, the two reactant gas suction ports of the fuel cell are
provided so as to be located on both sides of the case in the
stacking direction of the cells, so that the efficiency in
supplying the reactant gas into the fuel cell can be enhanced, and
a sufficient quantity of the reaction gas can be sucked in, without
enlarging the supercharger. In addition, since the two unreacted
gas discharge ports are provided to be located on both sides of the
case in the stacking direction of the cells, it is possible to
reduce the resistance to discharge of the unreacted gas from the
fuel cell, and to cope with an increase in the quantity of the
reactant gas sucked in.
Further, the shapes of the case, the cell and the cell stack of the
fuel cell, the shapes and layout of the reactant gas suction ports,
the unreacted gas discharge ports, the suction-side manifold, the
discharge-side manifold and the like are not limited to those in
the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are
possible. For example, the suction-side manifold may be so formed
as to be connected on the upper side of the fuel cell, and the
reactant gas pipe may be connected to an end part or the like of
the suction-side manifold.
Still further, the shape of the cowling, the shapes and layout
positions of the openings, the structures and numbers of the duct
paths and the hydrogen sensors inside the vehicle body, and the
like are not limited to those in the above embodiments, and various
modifications are possible. For example, the hydrogen sensor may be
mounted only at a front end part of the hydrogen cylinders, or two
or more hydrogen sensors may be mounted.
In addition, the form of the saddle ride, fuel cell powered vehicle
is not limited to the motorcycle and may be a three- or four-wheel
vehicle or the like, and various modifications may also be made as
to the forms and layout of the component parts such as the fuel
cell, the hydrogen reserving means, the supercharger, the
humidifier, the voltage converter unit, the secondary cell, the
radiator, etc.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the
same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are intended to be included within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *